11 Really Weird Southern Foods

The South is known for many things like their love for college football and muddy trucks. They are also known for good cooking, and fried chicken. However, some southern dishes are a little less well known and just plain weird.

1. Grits

I'll start off with a southern classic. I grew up on a good ole bowl of grits with a little bit cheese mixed in it. Every house hold does it different though, and I've people eating them with everything from molasses to honey and apples. The weird part is that grits are made out of dried kernels of corn, and the consistency of the food is kinda weird.

2. Fried Everything

The south is known for its tendency to deep fry everything, and sometimes we take it to the extreme. I've seen everything from deep fried snickers bars to hamburgers; the list goes on forever!

3. Pork Rinds

Pork rinds are a crunchy snack that can be found in most gas stations, and is basically just deep fried(or roasted) pork skins. They come in tons of different flavors such as spicy, and BBQ.

4. Hominy

Hominy is a dish that is closely kin to grits, but it's cooked a little differently. Hominy is corn that has been soaked and allowed to swell up. You can then cook it up, and mix it with cheese and sausage.

5. Frog Legs

There is nothing misleading about frog legs, they are exactly what their name suggest. Frog legs are the legs of frogs that are fried up and served much like chicken legs(they even taste like chicken!)

6. Polk Salad

Polk salad is a mixture of cooked polk plant mixed with scrambled eggs. The dish itself tastes pretty good; the weird part is that unless the polk plant is cooked properly, then it is very poisonous!

7. Squirrel Dumplings

Squirrel dumplings are very similar to chicken dumplings in there consistency and appearance. However, I have never quite grown to love the taste of squirrel meat. The meat is darker, and softer than chicken and not nearly as appetizing.

8. Goat Stew

Goat stew is a Fourth of July tradition in my family, and something that I really enjoy eating. Goat stew is very reminiscent of chicken stew except, well, for the goat part!

9. Turtle BBQ

I have never cared for turtle meat because it just never seems to love the flavor of a river bottom, but I have often seen it cooked in a BBQ form.

10. Souse

I have never had souse, and honestly never intend to. Souse is a cheese like food made from the meat from a hogs head. The stuff neither looks, nor sounds very good to me.

11. Rocky Mountain Oysters

I saved this one for last because to me it seems the worst. I've never eaten Rocky Mountain Oysters, and I wouldn't touch the stuff with a ten foot pole. Rocky Mountain Oysters, despite what the name suggests, is not a sea food. They are deep fried goat testicles. Nothing about that seems appetizing to me, but it is a southern dish that many enjoy.

Had you heard of any of these southern foods? Which one seemed the weirdest to you? Well, I hope you enjoyed the article, and maybe you'll even go out and try one of these in the future(or not!)

30 Things I'd Rather Be Than 'Pretty'

Nowadays, we put so much emphasis on our looks. We focus so much on the outside that we forget to really focus on what matters. I was inspired by a list that I found online of "Things I Would Rather Be Called Instead Of Pretty," so I made my own version. Here is a list of things that I would rather be than "pretty."

1. Captivating

I want one glance at me to completely steal your breath away.

2. Magnetic

I want people to feel drawn to me. I want something to be different about me that people recognize at first glance.

3. Raw

I want to be real. Vulnerable. Completely, genuinely myself.

4. Intoxicating

..and I want you addicted.

5. Humble

I want to recognize my abilities, but not be boastful or proud.

6. Exemplary

I want to stand out.

7. Loyal

I want to pride myself on sticking out the storm.

8. Fascinating

I want you to be hanging on every word I say.

9. Empathetic

I want to be able to feel your pain, so that I can help you heal.

10. Vivacious

I want to be the life of the party.

11. Reckless

I want to be crazy. Thrilling. Unpredictable. I want to keep you guessing, keep your heart pounding, and your blood rushing.

12. Philanthropic

I want to give.

13. Philosophical

I want to ask the tough questions that get you thinking about the purpose of our beating hearts.

14. Loving

When my name is spoken, I want my tenderness to come to mind.

15. Quaintrelle

I want my passion to ooze out of me.

16. Belesprit

I want to be quick. Witty. Always on my toes.

17. Conscientious

I want to always be thinking of others.

18. Passionate

...and I want people to know what my passions are.

19. Alluring

I want to be a woman who draws people in.

20. Kind

Simply put, I want to be pleasant and kind.

21. Selcouth

Even if you've known me your whole life, I want strange, yet marvelous. Rare and wondrous.

22. Pierian

From the way I move to the way I speak, I want to be poetic.

23. Esoteric

Do not mistake this. I do not want to be misunderstood. But rather I'd like to keep my circle small and close. I don't want to be an average, everyday person.

24. Authentic

I don't want anyone to ever question whether I am being genuine or telling the truth.

25. Novaturient

..about my own life. I never want to settle for good enough. Instead I always want to seek to make a positive change.

11 Tips For The College Vegetarian

Five years ago I decided to become a vegetarian. I have learned so much about healthy eating as a student, making meals cheap and quick yet still delicious. From dorm room smoothies to making the most of dining halls, this list will help you follow a vegetarian diet while attending college.

Drink your morning breakfast on the go easily by mixing up your favorite ingredients into a blender. Throwing frozen fruit such as strawberries and bananas in a blender with some milk and yogurt creates the perfect morning smoothie. Adding things like almond butter, almond milk, and protein powder will provide you with enough protein to get through your morning. I like to throw some granola on top of my smoothie for an added crunch as I'm drinking it.

Pick a day during the week to cook in bulk. Most halls will have a kitchen somewhere in them and you can utilize it to make some food to eat throughout the week. Cook up a large quantity of rice or pasta on the stove top and keep it contained for eating throughout the week. For a quick healthy lunch take some pre-made noodles and heat them up with some vegetables in a microwave.

College campuses have a variety of places to eat, but the key to finding places that will fit a vegetarian diet is research. You won't find a lot of opinions at commercial fast food chains, such as Chick Fil A or Mcdonald's, so it's important to know what spots to eat at. At the salad bar, you can load up on fresh veggies and dressings. If your campus has hot bar options, you can pick out things like rice, potatoes, vegetarian soups, etc.

4. Master the microwave

You can make all kinds of meals in a microwave, which will save you time out of your busy college schedule. Amy's makes plenty of frozen vegetarian meals that you can stock up on at your local supermarket (shown in the video above!!) and Gardein makes tons of meat alternatives packed with protein that will satisfy your hunger.

Whether it's cold on campus or not, a bowl of warm soup is the perfect way to get a quick meal in. Supermarkets carry a variety of soups that only require water and a quick trip to the microwave that tastes great! Next time you're trying to figure out what to eat, try a hearty soup with some crackers and your stomach will thank you.

Don't neglect your snacks! If you're ever hungry in class, make sure to have healthy snacks with you so you aren't tempted to splurge on expensive unhealthy food. A hangry mind never makes the wisest food choices. Bring along granola, nuts, fruits, and your favorite snacks to munch on.

Most health professionals would recommend drinking about half a gallon of water a day to stay hydrated. Water boosts your metabolism, helps your body break down food, flushes out toxins, and other many other health benefits. Vegetarians, vegans, and meat lovers alike all need to drink plenty of it to take better care of their bodies.

Doctors are the best people to talk to when going through a dietary change. They are educated and qualified to answer the questions you may have. For newer vegetarians, they have packets full of advice and recipes that can start you out. For long-time vegetarians, they often recommend a B-12 vitamin to make sure you don't become vitamin deficient while not eating meat.

Don't bring unhealthy food that is going to tempt you into your dorm. Try to avoid super sugary foods and instead eat some fruit if your sweet tooth comes calling. Replace candy with healthy snacks such as nuts, and opt for whole grain options rather than refined grains (white bread/rice).

Most colleges will have a fitness center that you can use to workout in. Part of taking care of your body is exercising it often. Find time in your schedule for a quick trip to the gym or maybe even consider taking a fitness class such as boxing or yoga.

The vegetarian diet isn't for everyone and there is no reason that you should let yourself go hungry ever. Maintaining it while living in a dorm, surrounded by fast food, makes it a difficult task to manage. So if it is something you want to do and believe in, go for it! If not there's no reason to beat yourself up over it.

Lastly, celebrate yourself. Maintaining a vegetarian diet is no easy task, especially for a busy student looking to save cash. Give yourself a pat on the back for eating healthy and contributing to the betterment of the planet. You deserve it.